Faroe Islands 1979 - Europa Postal History

On 7 May 1979 the Faroe Islands issued a set of 2 Europa stamps with the theme of Postal History. The stamps were engraved by Czeslaw Slania. In order for me to understand the theme of these stamps, I spent some time studying the Postal History of the Faroes. I found out some interesting bits of information.

The Faroe Islands are an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark. Up until 1975 Danish stamps were used in the Faroe Islands. These usually had no overprint or surcharge. At least this was the case until 1919. The aftermath of WWI forced Denmark to increase postage rates in the Faroes. They subsequently informed the postal authorities on the Faroe Islands of the rate increase to commence in January 1919.  To better understand the rest of this story, knowledge of the new postal rates is necessary...

• Inland Faroe Islands letters up to 15g was now 5 to 7 ore
• Postcards to Denmark up to 15g was now 4 to 7 ore

Due to unreliable shipping, the Faroes did not receive a supply of stamps bearing the 7 ore value on time. As a consequence, the Faroese Post Office had to use 'Provisional Stamps' since the 7 ore was an essential value for the new rates. For a time they used surplus lower value stamps as make-up values: 1, 3, 4, and 5 ore values. When the 2 ore values started to run low the Post Office in Tórshavn received permission to bisect their stocks of 4 ore stamps diagonally to act as 2 ore stamps. The 4 ore stamp type used was the Denmark 1917 dull blue.

This leads us to the first stamp in the 1979 set engraved by Czeslaw Slania. Slania here has faithfully reproduced a 2 ore 'Provisional' diagonal bisect from 1919.

But as inevitably happens, pretty soon supplies of the 4 ore stamps began to run low. The Faroe Islands Post Office was given further permission to overprint 5 ore stamps with 2 ore values. To achieve this the local Post Office created their own hand stamp out of - believe it or not - a chair leg! These overprints were subsequently called 'chair leg stamps' The truth really is stranger than fiction. The stamp type used for these 'chair leg' overprints was the Denmark 1913 5 ore green.

This then leads us to the second stamp in the 1979 set engraved by Czeslaw Slania. Slania has again created a lovely replica of the 1919 'Provisional' 2 ore overprint on the Denmark 1913 5 ore green.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Faroe Islands 1975 - Faroe Views

On 30 January 1975 the Faroe Islands was granted postal independence from Denmark. To mark this day Faroe Islands issued a large set of fourteen stamps. Eleven of these stamps were engraved by Czeslaw Slania. I studied the first seven stamps of this set in a previous blog - click HERE. In this blog I shall study Slania's final four stamps in this set. These four stamps comprise two different designs.

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The subject of the first design has given me a bit of a challenge. The Heindorffhus site (which is fantastic) states that the subject of this stamp was based on a painting by Eyvindur Mohr, and it depicts a view from the island of Vidoy. I then checked my Scott catalogue to see if there was any more info on the image. Well, the Scott catalogue tells a different story. It says that the stamp depicts a scene from Sandoy Island. Which was correct? In an attempt to discover the answer I studied some photos from both islands on the net. And I think I found a photo that provides an answer. 

First let's take a look at the stamp design in question. As mentioned above, this design was used for two values: the 200o (as pictured below) and the 70o. This design is an absolute stunner!

But which island does it depict? Well, I managed to find a photo in which I can pinpoint the same landmarks as in the stamp.

As you can see the coastline matches almost perfectly. So where is it? This image depicts the west coast of Sandoy Island. 

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The second design, according to the heindorffhus site, is apparently a view of Svinoy, taken from a photograph by Ásmundur Poulsen. This design was used for two values: the 250o and the 300o (as pictured below). Because I had to question the subject of the first design, I also wanted to check the information on this design to make sure it was right.

Again, I think this is possibly the wrong location. According to the Scott catalogue this is a view looking from the island of Streymoy towards the island of Vagar. And I found an image that confirms this.

This shot was apparently taken from Streymoy Island looking toward Vagar Island.

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At this point I have to say that this blog was in no way meant to discredit the wonderful Heindorffhus site. I was merely pointing out that we always need to be vigilant and do our own research. I love the Heindorffhus site and I use it all the time! And, who knows, my info could be incorrect!

One final thought before I say goodbye for today. While researching the Faroes, I have to say I fell in love with the place. The landscapes are truly breathtaking! If you have a bit of time type Faroe Islands into your browser and feast your eyes on some of the glorious landscape images out there. I'd love to visit this place one day!

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Argentina 1985 - J.B. Alberdi Banknote

Czeslaw Slania engraved two banknotes for Argentina. The first was issued in 1984 with a value of 5000 Pesos Argentinos. The Pesos Argentinos was in use from 1983-85. In 1985 these banknotes were overprinted with 5 Australs, the new currency. The Austral was in use until 1991.  In this blog I will study the 1985 version of the banknote, which is identical to the original except for the addition of the 5 Austral overprint box (on the left side of the obverse and the right side of the reverse). The second banknote he engraved for Argentina was the 1993 50 pesos value. I'll cover this banknote in a future blog (after I've managed to buy it!).

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The obverse of the 5 Austral banknote is dominated by the portrait of Juan Bautista Alberdi, an Argentine diplomat and political theorist.

He was born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, on 29 August 1810. In 1814 his counrty was plunged into Civil War. The political tensions surrounding the Civil War cultivated in Alberdi a growing interest in such affairs. It became clear from his early career that he disagreed with the current political situation in Argentina. He was a founding member of the "Generation of 37", a group of liberal intellectuals. They criticised both factions of the Argentine Civil Wars; the Federals were too violent and the unitarians totally incapable of rule. The group was especially opposed to the Governor, Juan Manuel Rosas. The group was eventually discovered by Rosas' government and most of its members emigrated to other countries. Alberdi emigrated to Uruguay in 1838. This marked the beginning of his exile, which lasted most of his life. Whilst in exile he attained a Law Degree and he did a lot of writing which included theatre plays.

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In 1852 Juan Manuel Rosas' government was overthrown. Alberdi was instrumental in establishing a new constitution. The image on the reverse of the banknote depicts a meeting to discuss the writing of the new constitution. The engraving on this image is fantastic. From the expressions on the faces, most of which seem different, to the lovely balloon back chairs. Even the cloth draped over the table has a life of its own.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Sweden 1960 - World Refugee Year

Fifteen years after World War II there were still many refugees held in camps in Europe under deplorable conditions. In 1960, an initiative to sort this horrible situation out was put forth by the United Nations. The programme was launched with the goal to "clear the camps". It achieved excellent results. By the end of 1960 all refugee camps in Europe were officially closed.

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On 7 April 1960 Sweden issued a set of two stamps for World Refugee Year. One of the two stamps was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. The stamp engraved by Slania is incredibly poignant, and reflects the sadness and crowded conditions those unfortunate enough to be in these camps must have felt.

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The other stamp in this set was engraved by Arne Wallhorn. It depicts the uprooted oak emblem.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!